On Tuesday, March 12, 200 park advocates from throughout California participated in CSPF's 11th Annual Park Advocacy Day to help us send a powerful message of support for California’s 280 state parks.

Participants dedicated an entire day meeting with policymakers at the capitol to discuss state parks-related legislation and budget issues. These meetings have a lasting impact on legislators as they make important decisions about state park protection and the funding of California's state parks system. For a list of legislation park advocates discussed with their representative please go here.

Between August and November, over 400 park supporters took CSPF’s Defend What’s Yours Challenge. During the challenge, participants set a goal to complete at least one activity for each of the Top 5 Ways to defend state parks: Be a Defender; Visit; Volunteer; Speak Out and Share.

After signing up online, each participant received a Defend What's Yours Challenge kit, which included a checklist, window decal and “Speak Out” shield to assist them with completing the challenge activities. Save Our State Parks Campaign partners also helped distribute Challenge kits at events at their local state parks.

Click here to view our Defend What's Yours Photo Gallery.

Park closures, service reductions and damaging development proposals threaten the integrity of California’s state park system, and the irreplaceable natural, cultural and historic resources they contain. California’s state parks are YOUR state parks, and you can help save them. Here are 5 ways to help: